Crookston Bishop Accused of Covering up Alleged Sexual Abuse

WDAY
May 10, 2017

http://www.wday.com/news/4264310-crookston-bishop-accused-covering-alleged-sexual-abuse

For the first time in the United States, a Bishop of the Catholic Church is being sued for coercion.

Bishop Michael Hoeppner is in charge of the Crookston Diocese, and sees over most of Western Minnesota.

He's accused of forcing a Deacon candidate to stay quiet about alleged sexual abuse.

That candidate is now saying he was abused 46-years ago and again in 2015.

"What the bishop told him is "Ron you must keep this quiet," said Jeff Anderson, Attorney.

Crookston Diocese Bishop Michael Hoeppner is facing the first lawsuit of its kind after Ron Vasek accused him of coercing him in a sex abuse coverup.

Vasek's lawyer says the Bishop tried to force Vasek, a deacon candidate, to say he was never abused by his former priest, Roger Grundhaus.

"You can not tell anyone, it would be terrible for Father Grundhaus," said Anderson.

Vasek says Grundhaus abused him back in 1971, but he never told anyone until 2010 when he revealed it to the church.

When a separate lawsuit against the Diocese asked for a list of any priests accused of abuse, Vasek says he was asked to sign a letter saying he wasn't abused.

"I can't sign this letter, it's a lie," said Vansek.

He claims when he refused, Bishop Hoeppner began threatening to keep him from becoming a deacon and then Vasek's son, who's also a priest.

"It would be very difficult for your son too. I knew at that moment he was blackmailing me."

Vasek says he was forced to sign it.

"I signed that letter to protect my son because I know how evil a man the bishop can be," said Vasek.

Vasek's current priest says the Bishop then suddenly disapproved of Vasek's candidacy as a Deacon for no reason.

"This abrupt and inexplicable turnaround was at best inexplicable to me, and at worst outrageous," said FR. Bob Schreiner, Vasek's Priest.

As the lawsuit begins its early stages, Vasek hopes his accusations will cause others to come forward with claims.

"To those people who have tried to report it but have been silenced to give them courage to come forward. If they can hear my voice, please come forward," said Vasek.

Vasek wants to make it clear he is in no way upset with the Catholic Church he says he simply wants the truth to be told.